Ken, it would be hard for anyone else to help with your decision on the tools.

You'll likely have them for life, which is a good thing.

Only you can assess how deep your love of woodworking goes, and whether or not a jointer / planer would even be that useful to you (some build many projects using only pre-sized lumber from Home Depot or Lowes, never using the rougher "raw" wood that a jointer and planer are primarily used for.

These might necessitate a good dust collector. More $$.

If they are used rarely, but in your way often, then even the mobile bases won't save them from being sworn at frequently.

I guess my wrap-up is that if you are planning on seriously pursuing woodworking, go for it. If you think it will be more of a casual hobby, then hold off. The deal is pretty good considering you know / trust the seller, but it's not an amazing bargain. And tools such as these DO pop up relatively frequently when people can't really make good use of them, replace them or they're found in estate sales.

Thanks, Mark. I think what makes them appealing, aside from the fact the guy's a good salesman (and put up with me ruining his wet stone for 30 minutes or so) is that he's refurbishing them. I'm sure the tools pop up all the time for the same or less, but they won't be in tip top condition.

As far as the wood goes, I build nice(r) stuff occasionally when the urge and idea strikes me; most of the time I'm doing little things or rough stuff like garden beds and fences, so these wouldn't get a lot of use the majority of the time. However, when I do build nice stuff, it would be good to have the option to use more interesting wood than pine or overpriced red oak from HD.

Well, that'll happen at some point, but the immediate question is whether I should get the tools or not.

I guess you have to ask yourself if your going to build anything that requires those tools. A jointer would be great I think for getting those really square edges you just cant get with table saw alone. I would love to have fully equipped wood shop even if I am a bit average when it comes to woodwork. better equipment equals better results and a sense of gratification that can be hard to come by.

I always wanted a CAT, too, for snow removal and yard stuff! Not that I would/could/should have ever bought one, but I thought they were, like, $15-20k. Nope. They are around 40k. Even if we both sold our Odysseys and pooled all of the money, we would come up $hort. Hey, I just realized, Joyce's car is almost new! That should put us over the top.

Oh, c'mon, the hospital isn't THAT far away from your house.

_________________________
LIFE ALERT is God's way of saying, "I called, but someone else picked-up."

I was working on her for a new lathe, but the sale ends today and I think we're going to get a pellet stove instead. It'll heat that cold kitchen that I've mentioned here (and you've experienced) as well as my workshop. Otherwise, I never want to be down there in the winter.

I have a person coming today and another on Monday to tell me if locations and venting is viable.